Nepros has updated their 3/8″ ratchet, launching the new NBR390A.
The new Nepros NBR390A ratchet, featuring 90T gearing, full-polish, and 7″ overall length, is described as being the world’s finest aesthetic and functional.
The NBR390A ratchet looks a lot like Nepros’ NBR390 ratchet, which launched 10 years ago in 2012.
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Compared to the NBR390, the new NBR390A is said to be 10% lighter. It also has a slimmer head, with 4mm shaved off the teardrop-shaped head width.
In addition to being slimmer, the NBR390A ratchet’s head length has also been reduced slightly, allowing for better access in tight spaces.
Some of the weight savings comes from the new hollowed-out handle design, with a cross-section showing additional material removal.
Nepros says they achieved both best weight balance and lightness.
The ratchet’s internal mechanisms are also different, with the upgraded gear pawl engaging with 8 teeth instead of 7, for even greater strength.
Lastly, Nepros updated the gear component, which weighs 40% lighter than the previous model. Additionally, Nepros says that inner stress is dispersed by round-machining.
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Dimensions: 180mm (~7″) length, 26mm (~1″) width, 14mm (~0.55″) height.
Ratchet Gear: The 90T gearing creates a 4° minimal swing angle.
A repair kit, NBR390A-K will be available.
Price: ¥12,600
I ordered a test sample from Amazon Japan. I’ve ordered from there before with great experiences each time.
At the time of this posting, the Amazon JP price is ~¥13,625 including shipping, which comes out to ~$95 USD with the current exchange rate. Foreign transaction fees could apply. Amazon Japan also allows for checkout in USD, which comes out to ~$96.
Nepros Tools’ price is $119 + $19.90 shipping.
fred
The only USA source that I could find – sells it for $118
https://drpd.cc/nepros-3-8-90-tooth-ratchet-nbr390a/
so $95 on Amazon Japan looks quite good
Stuart
I’m not familiar with that seller. I’d stick with Amazon JP or Nepros direct.
fred
I’ve found that seller (DRPD) to have been up and up with the few dealings that I have had with them. They sometimes have holiday promotions, stock PB Swiss, and other premium European and Japanese Brands. I found out about them via one of your reader’s comments.
Corey Moore
I used em from your past comment about their labor day 22 discount code, and got a nepros 3/8 spinner just to see what the vendor and nepros were like. Happy with both👍
BobM
For whatever it’s worth, I just bought some PB Swiss screwdrivers from that seller a few weeks ago, they shipped promptly and I had no issues.
fred
The last things I bought from them were Ko-Ken – double universal joints. I think that style may be unique to Ko-Ken:
https://drpd.cc/search.php?search_query=double+universal
Stacey Jones
What’s that style for?
fred
I guess that a double-ended universal joint is sort of like a short version of the double universal extension bar from Vim:
https://vimtools.com/product/dse68/
There are also bent extension bars made by Stahlwille
https://chadstoolbox.com/12250001-stahlwille-1225-3-8-drive-special-extension/
Both are meant to help you clear obstructions.
The person that I bought them for works on small aircraft engines.
Fritz Gorbach
I just ordered those Vim double ended extensions. Mac Tools also sells a 6 piece set, with some additional sizes, https://www.mactools.com/products/smxvd6elq
And Matco also has the 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2″ .
I suspect these all may be rebranded Vim tools. I would love the 6 piece set from Mac, but $460 is a little much for a Novelty. The 3 Vim items ran me right around $100.
Patrick T
I’ve also had great luck with DRPD. Bought some Koken sockets, extensions and some USAG stuff during a recent sale.
Heard about them on Garage Journal where they will post deals and updates occasionally.
Skyy
They actually carry a special edition of PB Swiss picks. Reputable “new” seller. I bought my 1/4″ Nepros IP Gold from them at launch.
TMS
I can vouch for DRPD as well – found them via a thread on GJ. Have ordered from them several times, good service.
MM
Looks pretty nice!
Speaking of Nepros, Stuart, did you ever manage to find out from Nepros if their “gold” finish was actual gold or was TiN plating? I remember we discussed that a while back but I don’t think the question was ever definitively answered.
Franck B.
I really like how they point out what they’ve done and the possible benefits instead of leaving you to try and figure them out.
Stuart
Agreed! Every tool brand should do similar when marketing new or updated tools.
Jared
Beautiful. I really should try some Nepros products.
Nathan
Thats interesting. for all that work they didn’t really get much out of it.
I don’t know that I’d like that hollowed handle but it would be interesting – more so if it’s thicker than a basic 3/8 ratchet handle without a comfort overmold. which I would think would be cheaper and lighter.
IE plastic overmold of a thinner solid steel shaft – for equal overall diameter – would be lighter than their machined hollow handle. Would it feel better, work better – not sure. Bet it runs smooth. Do they make them in Quick Release?
MM
I haven’t used one of these personally but it looks like it’s quick release to me from the photos.
Franck B.
That model is quick release. Look at the hole in the anvil.
Have you ever held one of the Dewalt ratchets with the large flat/oval handle, like the ones that come in the mechanics sets they sell at HD? Those are solid steel and they weigh a ridiculous amount. I wish they would hollow them out.
Rx9
Thanks for the link. If the yen declines further, these could be a really good deal.
I was wondering what kind of quality hand tool brands (other than Engineer) came out of Japan.
MM
Vampire is another Japanese company which makes pliers similar to Engineer. A few of my favorite Japanese tools off the top of my head:
Silky saws
Ko-Ken mechanic’s tools
Mitutoyo measuring instruments
Olfa utility & craft knives
Wood Owl drill bits
Tajima caulk gun
MM
Oh, and Japanese gardening tools are also generally excellent. Even the cheap brands for things like cultivators, sickles, weeders, etc, are usually very good quality for the money. Regarding specific recommendations there’s the “hori-hori”, sort of a combination knife and trowel which is super handy since you can use it to dig, chop roots, open bags of mulch/fertilizer/etc with just the one tool. The “ika hoe” is another tool that is really good, it’s been widely copied but the Japanese ones with the one-piece forged steel head are much better than the welded-together ones you find at big box stores and they’re reasonably priced too. For example the ones by Kusakichi are amazing value at only $25.
fred
Adding to the list of tools from Japan:
Silky brand pruning saws are considered the best in the business
Plus these brands:
Allex brand (Hayashi Cutlery) scissors and shears
Anex – low profile wrenches
ARS pruners
Blazer – small torches
Dogyu – pry bars – scrapers
Godhand – hobby tools
Hakko – soldering irons
Hit (Toho Koki) – bolt cutters
Hosco – files
Hozan – bike tools
IPS (Igarashi Pryor) – pliers
Iridori – sharpening stones
Iwasaki – files and rasps
Iwata – spray guns
Lightool (Asahi Metal) – wrenches
Lobster (lobtex) – plumbing tools
Masuta – sharpening stones
MCC – threaded rod tools
Merry Tools (Muromoto Tekko) – pliers
Mugen Seiki – hobby tools
Nisaku (Tomita Cutlery) – scrapers and knives
NT Cutter – staple pullers, knives
Shapton – sharpening
Shimano – bike tools
Shinwa Rules – measuring and marking tools
Supertool – plumbing tools
Tagaki Tools – saws
Tone Tool (Maeda Metal) – socket wrenches
Tsubotama – saws
MM
I couldn’t agree more about the Silky pruning & outdoor saws. First time you use one of those is an epiphany.
And speaking of sharpening tools I am a big fan of Naniwa synthetic waterstones, especially the Professional line (formerly called Chosera). They cut fast, they have great feel.
Eric S.
You could add Shindaiwa- landscaping tools & Mitutoyo- measuring tools.
Franco
Shindaiwa is owned by Echo, maybe 10 years now.
Rx9
@ fred/MM: fantastic list you’ve compiled there. As the proud owner of two Japanese vehicles, I’m inclined to give these brands a try.
I feel like I’m almost obligated to ask my wife for a pair of Merry Tools pliers this Christmas season, with that nifty name and all…
fred
Here is one source
https://www.nilemerry.com/merry
You may be able to use a promo code: SAVE10 for 10% off
BTW – Merry is also the OEM for some Panduit items
While I’m at it – I could also add some other Japanese tool brands like:
3Peaks (Three Peaks Giken) – pliers
Canary (Hasegawa Cutlery) – knives – carboard cutters
Clover Needlcraft – sewing
DIY Tools (Nisaku – Tomita Cutlery) – scrapers
Fuji Tool – precision measuring
Green Top (Tomita Cutlery) – Hori Hori knives
Hios – drivers and assembly tools
Hishika – saws
Iridori (Naniwa Abrasive) – Nagura stones
JHT (Japan Hobby Tool)
Jinkai – tools for fishing
King (Matsunaga Stone) – sharpening stones
Mugen Seki – hobby tools
Okada Hardware (Z Hanbai) – saws
Shenshin Industry – measuring tools
Shark (Tagaki Tools) – saws
Sujiborido Tools – hobby tools
Taiyo Picus – pop riveters
Tajima – tape measures
Topman – pry bars and hand tools
Tsunoda Co. Ltd – pliers
Ct451
I have a few “fujiya” pieces (pliers, cutters) that are pretty good.
My favorites are “goot” for soldering and accessories.
I bought a 24″ cable cutter from Japan made but some cutlery company there because all I could find in the west were either too cheap or too expensive. The name escapes me now but it’s pretty good for 1/2″ cables where Chinese quality straggles.
Davethetool
Personally I don’t see the reasoning to feature a tool that has no US Distributors to order from? Japan made, great! Professional Quality great! Pricing not so great but if you make your living using tools then maybe worth it. Warranty? Not so great. Ordering and obtaining the tools? Not so great. Example: There is a small village in the Swiss Alps that makes the worlds finest screwdrivers! Nearly unbreakable and lifetime warranty replacement for any reason! The “rub”is you have to fly to the country and rent a dog sled and team to purchase these screwdrivers!
fred
Look at my first post for DRPD – one of the USA distributors. I think that Stuart cited Amazon.jp – because their pricing was low – perhaps beacuse of the dollar’s strength versus the Yen (alto the Japanese central bank has been selling of dollars to bolster the Yen).
BTW – I found a maker (blacksmith) of carving tools in Lithuania – and bought some of his wares when I was visiting – but he does not market outside his own area.
Stuart
I have ordered from Nepros before, which has great customer service, as well as Amazon Japan.
As long as you can order it online and get it delivered to your door, what’s the problem?
Am I supposed to only post about tools you can buy at home centers?
Franco
Also, no different than posting about a tool that is available in Europe and other parts of the world, by a main MFR, yet we do not have it here. With Makita, Bosch and other brands, we often here about tools we don’t have available here and wonder if we will get it at some point or will we get it at all.
JoeM
Other than this Ratchet (not counting the older model, because they’re basically the same model, revised, not a different product.) has ToolGuyd ever covered anything else by Nepros? The name sounds really familiar. Were they the ones that made that incredible gyroscopically balanced precision screwdriver that was on Kickstarter or something like that? I know it was someone who designed that one to be a limited run, but the tools seem to be cut from the same cloth design-wise.
And speaking of design… Is anyone else kinda taken by how much like jewelery these little ratchets appear to be? Not to gush over looks, it’s just, is anyone else seeing how much detail they put into exact curves, and how elegant the design is? Almost like they wanted it to look even more expensive than it ends up being?
I’m finding it hard to put into words. Aesthetics are not my forte when it comes to language. I will be checking the Nopros site for what else they make, but I could have sworn Stuart did a writeup on a different tool from them a while back… with equal praise for the aesthetics to boot…
Franco
I have the previous model, which I love.
I got it 5+ years ago from https://frankstools.com/products
I had got a Nepros 1/4 ratchet and socket set and a Koken 1/2″ set + some other individual tools; all very nice.
I have not order anything from him in many years but at the time, prices and service were great. For stuff you do not see on his website, you can email him and he can tell you if he can get it plus price.
****I was checking some items and everything I checked is out of stock, not sure what the deal is.
Stuart, I could be wrong, but you know him or know him; do you know if he is still in business?
Franco
I meant…Stuart, I could be wrong, but you know him or know OF him.
Stuart
I’m not familiar with Frank or Franks Tools.
Nathan
so I sit corrected – it is a QR style ratchet. I like it.
For the dollars there are alot of other products that are in my opinion easier to get hand on and easier to get repaired. but of similar quality – 95 dollars is going to be a bit hard to beat. I mean new a MAC is going to be more – same with Snap On, and I figure the Stahlwille in your hand in the US will also be more.
so interesting. The SK was cheaper and I bet you can find one – though they aren’t made anymore. but it wasn’t QR.
Franco
Just my opinion but when you use one, it feels nice in your hand. Very little drag, smooth and quality made. Is it the best, I can’t say, but definitely a premium, high quality ratchet.
If you get one, you will not regret it. Myself I can’t say but I have heard others say that it is better than their Snap On or other premium ratchet.
928'er
Ordered my bit of toolbox jewelry from Amazon.co.jp on the 25th and received it this morning. So, 5 days from Japan to California. Not bad
Stuart
I already received mine too. I sprung an extra few dollars for priority shipping.
I have to be careful with multi-item orders. If they ship products separately, the shipping fees will go way up. I changed the color of two SKUs (package opener and scissors), and my shipping fees were almost halved.
Rx9
I know I’m necroposting here, but I recently picked up a Nepros NBR390X at the Factory Gear shop on Tennozu Isle in Tokyo. With exchange rates, tax rebate, and a sale working out in my favor, I paid about $90 USD. While it is a bit steep, I wanted a souvenir with a bit more meaning and utility than a refrigerator magnet shaped like mt Fuji or a bullet train.
I’m impressed with the quality, lightness and ergonomics of the ratchet, as well as the compactness of the ratchet head.